Literature of the English Country House (FutureLearn)

For over 450 years, country houses have attracted the attention of celebrated writers like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. On this course we’ll trace this history with experts from the University of Sheffield’s School of English who will share with us the approaches that they take in their own research.

What topics will you cover?

• Extracts from novels, manuscripts, poetry and drama
• Selected works from Thomas More, Margaret Cavendish, Jane Austen, Ann Radcliffe, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde
• Lesser known forms of texts and less familiar authors
• Literary research approaches of experts from the University of Sheffield School of English
• The material conditions in which country house literature originally appeared
• The contexts within which literature was originally produced
• The history of country house literature, from the sixteenth to the twentieth century
• View the stunning country house locations which inspired works of literature throughout the centuries

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

• Demonstrate 'close reading' skills as the basis for your own literary interpretation
• Discuss the wide variety of ways country house literature has been composed, consumed and received over the centuries
• Engage with extracts from novels, poetry and drama from well-know authors as well as lesser known forms of writing from less familiar authors
• Investigate the role and representation of the English country house in literature
• Build your own literary interpretation of literature
• Explore literature in it's original form and the context within which it was first written

Who is the course for?
This course is suitable for anyone who enjoys reading and discussing literary texts in English. It may also help those who are preparing for further study in English Literature, as it gives a good foundation in analysing texts. If you are already at degree level in English or another subject, this course could be a good supplement to your studies. Ultimately though, this course is suitable for anyone who loves country houses and great literature.